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Meeting scheduled to discuss W.Va. farm to school program

Sep. 22, 2012 @ 11:40 PM

2012/The Herald-Dispatch

WINFIELD — The West Virginia University Extension Service is launching a program in Putnam County that aims to bring more locally produced food into the county’s schools, and foster interest among students in local farming.

A meeting of the Farm to School program is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at the Putnam County Old Courthouse, 3389 Winfield Rd. Farmers and youth group leaders are encouraged to attend.

The objective of the program is to promote student consumption of produce and meat from local farmers in the school cafeterias.

“Incorporating locally grown, farm-fresh produce as part of a school nutrition program creates a relationship that positively impacts our farms, schools and students,” according to a press release from the WVU Extension. “When schools purchase food from farmers and school youth groups (FFA and 4-H) it helps support the local economy while providing higher quality food to our students.”

The student groups participating in the project will work with their local farmers, teachers and leaders and Extension personnel to learn how to grow produce or meat to sell to their school cafeterias; keep records and determine the costs of production using 4-H project books or FFA SAE reports, and learn management practices to provide a quality product in a timely fashion.